Amman  - The Jordanian government Tuesday signed a 132- million-dollar contract with Chinese firm Sibco for the expansion of the Samra power plant, the Ministry of Energy said.

The expansion, which raises the plant's capacity to 500 megawatts from 400 megawatts, will be financed by a loan from the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Developent (AFESD).

The expansion plan, which seeks to meet the growth in demand for electricity, will go into operation in June 2010, Energy Minister Khaldoun Qteishat said.

He urged Chinese investors to benefit from Jordan's investment opportunities in the energy sector, currently running at about 800 million dollars annually. (dpa)